When can I sign up for MediCare? I'll soon be 65

I'll soon be 65 – when can I sign up for MediCare?

This is a common question. When a person looks for information on when it's often confusing or incomplete. So to eliminate the confusion I am pleased to share the rules for those who decided to sign up when 65. 

Individuals:

●  Are no longer automatically signed up at 65!

●  Can apply in the 3^rd, 2^nd, or month before 65. MediCare says when 65 is the eligible month. Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Outpatient) coverage will be effective the first of the eligible month.

●  Can apply during the eligible month. Part B is effective the first of the next month but A stays the first of the eligible month.

●  Can apply the month after eligible, two months after, and three months after. Part B will be effective either two or three months after applying. A stays the first of the eligible month and can be as much as six months back from B!

Those are the rules SS follows for when a person can signup at 65. 

Let’s now look at how to sign up. An Individual can:

●  Sign up through Social Security's online system which is responsible to enroll people in MediCare.

●  Go to the Local Social Security office. I encourage people to do this. Why? A face to face meeting with a retirement person is easy, less confusing for most, and they will: 

    + complete the Part A & B application for them, 

    + review the options to pay the 25% share of Part B's monthly base cost so the one best for their situation can be selected. B’s base cost is $144.60 in 2020.

       Note: An additional amount is added to B's base cost if the IRS 1040 AGI from two years ago is above 87 k for Single & 174 k for Joint. The rules for higher-income individuals have five other higher income levels’ and each adds an additional amount to B's base cost.

    + review SS's informative charts which are helpful in deciding the best age to start receiving benefits.

When a person has completed the signup MediCare considers them "entitled". [not enrolled]  They are then covered by:

     ●  Part A for inpatient care in a hospital.

     ●  Part B for medically necessary outpatient services.

       + The MediCare ID card shows entitled above Part A & B.